Skirt marker



March 13, 1928. 1,662,407

0. V. TOLBERT SKIRT MARKER Filed Jan- 1927 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Inventor 9W QVZbZ/Jerg flttornqy March 13, 1928. 1,662,407 0. V. TOLBERT SKIRT MARKER Filed Jan. '7. l927 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 i :l /7 I I 5 :l '36 i 2 v 44 I: 9?? U /i r 1 I Inventor Patented Mar. 13, 1928.

OLIVIA V. TOLBERT, OF FRYSMILL, ARKANSAS.

SKIRT MARKER.

Application filed January 7, 192?. Serial No. 159,632.

This invention relates to devices for niarking skirts for uniformly obtaining predetermined lengths thereof.

An object of the invention resides in providing a device for marking skirts, in which a suitable mechanism for receiving the lower edge of a skirt and having a means forming a part thereof for holding suitable marking elements adapted for use bya person fitting a skirt to herself, to obtain the proper marking for the lower edge of the skirt. so that in the completed form, it

will hang an even distance above the floor.

The invention further comprehends the provision of a marking device for skirts in which a suitable and readily adjustable chalk holder is provided mounted on suitable adjustable. supporting means adapted to encircle the feet and limbs of a person being fitted with a dress, and a coopera .ing structure encircling the marking device, adapted to engage the lower edge portion of the dress with the dress interposed between the marking device and the last mentioned structure, so that the said structure may be moved to engage the lower edge of i the dress on one side with the marking device on the opposite side, in order that the person wearing the dress can, without assistance, obtain proper markings for the length of the dress all around the lower edge thereof.

The invention eomprehends numerous other objects residing in thepartieular details of construction and relation of the parts which are more particularly pointed out in the following detailed description and claims, directed to the preferred form of the invention, it being understood however, that various changes in the size, shape, and arrangement of the parts may be made without departing from the spirit scope of the invention as hereinafter set forth.

In the drawings forming part of this ap plication:- 1 Figure 1 is a. plan view of the skirt marker with the parts shown in operative relation. I

Fig. 2 is a side elevat-ionalview showing a portion of the chalk holder portion of the adjusting and holding mechanism therefor, with one of the supporting standards. 7

Fig. 3 is a sectional View taken substantially on the line 3"?) of Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is a detail perspective view of one group oi members in disassembled relation which are used for the construction of the chalk holder. a

Fig. 5 is a sectional detail view through the chalk holder, taken on the line 5-5 of 1 and showing the separator bar for the holder in operative position.

Fig. 6 is a disassembled side elevation of one of the supportingstandards fort-he chalk holder showing the provisions of the markings so that the holder may be set in a predetermined distance above the surface or floor on which it is supported. 7

7 is a plan view of the chalk holder opening device prior to applicationto the chalk holder shown in dotted lines for moving into the operative position as shown in Fig. 0. 7 q 4 Fig. 8 is a fragmentary elevation of the outer side of the adjustable holder for the skirt adapted for. cooperation with the chalk holder in the marking of the skirt.

chalk holder isindicated at 1, which is annular in form and adjustable in size throughout predetermined limits.

This chalk holder is formed of a pair of duplicate ring sections secured together in relative angular relation by the resilient connectors 52, as clearly shown in Figs-3 and 5. Each of these rings is formed of a plurality'of sections3 and 4-. respectively, which are illustrated in detail in Fig. a, which are assembled in alternate relation with the ends extending in. overlapping relation. i

The oppositeend portions of each of the strips 3 and t which are of varcuatc form are provided with elongated slots!) through which suitable securing bolts 6 are adapted for insertion in order to adjustably connect the strips in assembled ring-forming re lation. v The sizeof the ring is adjusted by loosening the bolt 6 andmoving the sections 3 and 4 into greater overlapping relation to the extent-permitted by the slots 5 for decreasing the size of the ring or moving them out of overlapped relation for increasing the size of the ring the bolt 6 beingtightly so cured to the strip tor locking them in a set position.

Each strip is formed in the central portion with an opening 7 for receiving the securing means to attach the rings to the resilient members 2. The strip l at opposite sides of the openings 7 are provided with openings 8 receiving the securing means for at taching the laterally extending feet 9 on the V-shaped supporting bracket 10 thereto. These brackets are adapted to extend inwardly in radial relation and. inclined relative to the plane of the ring and in the central portion are formed with suitable openings receiving the securing bolt 11. for mounting the chalk holder in assembled relation with the supporting structure as will now be desired.

The supporting structure for this chalk holder as illustrated in the drawing includes three supporting standards indicated generally by the numeral 152. These standards include base plates 13 with which are formed upright. arcuate plate members ll as clearly illustrated in Figs. 2 and 6. These arcuatc plate members are formed for a sulr stantial, portion of their length with slots: 15 and 1.6 in the central and side portions thereof, the slot to being in the central portion and the slots 16 being in the side portion thereof and opening through the upper end. Supplemental plattmembers 17 are provided with longitudinally extending slotted portions 15 and 16 which are adapted to register with the slots to and 1G in the plate member 14.

Suitable securing elements 18 extend through the slots 16 and 16 in registering relation and serve to adjustably secure the arcuate plate member and supplemental plate member in a desired position of adjustment, so that the supporting standards may be varied in height within predetermined limits. Each of these supportin standards provided with suitable scale markings to indicate the height of adjustment for the chalk holder above the surface on which it is supported, for a purpose which will presently be described.

To hold the standards in proper relation with one another for supporting the chalk holder. an adjustable split ring member ti l is provided with a plurality of longitudinally extending slots 21 which receive the bolts 11 also adapted to extend through the slots 15 and 15 in the standards following which they are secured in the central portion of the V-shaped bracket 10 in order that in the secured relation of the parts. the ring 20 and the bracket 10 will be lirmly secured to the standard in a desired position of adjustment.

The ring 20 is adjusted at one side, in corn densation with the adjustment of the side of the chalk holder. through the overlapping end portions thereof, being secured in adjusted relation by the set screw extending through an elongated slot in one end portion of the ring. By means of the slid ing adjustment provided for the bolt 6 in the slots 21, a uniform adjustment is possible throughout the circumference of the ring so as to preserve its circular shape and thus retain its uniformly spaced relation with rcspect to the chalk holder.

The supporting standard 12 for the chalk holder is formed of a sutlicicnt height that the chalk holder may be placed from one to twenty-tour inches abortthe supporting surface or more if desired. The hold ing ring 20 is of a size sullicient to enable it to readily lit around the feet and limb of the wearer. being titled with a skirt, in.

such a manner thatit may beclo ely tilted to the limbs in order to normally lie out of range of contact with the lower end of the dress on the wearer.

This adjustment of the parts may also be made so that the standards will not interfere with the hanging of the dress being fitted. \Vith the parts adjusted in this manner to the wearer of the skirt being titted. in order to obtain the proper marking for the length of the skirt, the chalk holder may be adjusted with respect to the ring 20 after loosening the bolts (3, the set screws and the bolts ll, so that each section of the chalk holder may be adjusted simultaneously whereby the same will lie within and under the skirt for marking the inside thereof in the manner in which it naturally hangs on the wearer.

lVhcn the chalk holder is adjusted to proper size, the bolts (5 ll, and the set screw 22 are all tightened to retain the parts in rigid adjusted relation.

A skirt; holder indicated generally at 2 5 includes a pair of sections 24 and 25 respectively of substantially semi-amiular form hingedly connected together at 26 so that they may be easily moved into and out of annular relation outside of the chalk holder 1. Each of the sections 2 and 25 are formed of a plurality of relatively wide plate members 27 secured in overlapped relation by suitable securing screws 28 extending through the slotted portions 29 formed at the end of the sections :28 and at opposite sides thereof, as clearly shown in Fig. 8 of the drawings.

These plate members 37 are of arcuate form in cross section as illustrated in Fig. 3 as well as len thwise in order to conform to the annular torm in properly adjusted relation of the chalk holder 1.. The plates, members 27 of each of the sections 24' and 25, are provided at a pair of spaced points with suitable U-shapcd bracket members 3t). having the end portions suitably secured thereto, while the central portions arc formed with threaded openings receiving the set screws 3t extending through the slotted portion 32 of the uprights 3 adapted to support said skirt holder in a desired position of adjustment on the floor or other supporting s-xurface.

These uprights for the skirt holder are formed of a pair of adjustable sections it! {Ill Ion

Ill]

and 35 which may be of any suitable height found most desirable for the purpose, the sections 3d of which are provided with supporting feet 36 resting on the floor or supporting surface for the device.

As the ring members of the chalk holder are normally moved by the resilient bracket members into contact relation at the inner edges with the body portions extending in angular relation as illustrated in the drawing, it is necessary tospring the same apart against the tension of the brackets iirordcr to insert the chalk for marking a skirt. .z-lugularly faced sections" of chalk such as indicated at 37 in Fig. 3, are used in connection with the chalk holder, and in use are clamped by the action of the bracket members 2 between the rings of the holder 1.

In order to insert the chalk sections throughout the groove formed between the rings of the holder, for marking a skirt, this invention provides a. spreader for the rings shown in Fig. 7 at 38'. This spreader includes a pair of substantially semi-annular strips 39 having the ends connected by a suitable set screw 40 extendin throu h the slotted end portions ll toperniit adjustment of the size of the spreader while the opposite end portions are secured in adjustable spaced relation by the stop member l2 and the set screws 43 extending through the slotted portion of the stop member and the slotted ends of the strip 39. i

These strips 39 at predetermined points carry wedge members 44:. The chalk holder is shown in dotted lines in Fig. 7, with the spreader in position for engagement between the two rings forming said holder for s reading the rings apart in order that the c ialk sections may be inserted therebetween and placed in clamped relation. From the position of the parts shown in Fig. 7, the spreader is contracted after the chalk sections are positioned with the tapered ends between the rings so that the strips 39 will force the wedges between the rings and spread the same apart simulaneously with pushing the chalk sections between the two rings.

After the chalk sections are positioned be tween the separated ring sections, the spreader is then removed to permit the same to move together under the resilient action of the bracket members 2 which will engage and clamp the chalk therebetween as shown at 37 in Fig. 3, as a result or" which the chalk holder is ready for the marking operation.

When the person desiring to fit a skirt upon herself has adjusted the chalk holder to the proper height on the standard and adjusted the holding ring 20 and the chalk holder to the proper size as heretofore set forth, the chalk is then placed in the chalk holder for-the marking operation. The adju stable skirt holder is also adjusted with the sections 24 and 25 secured inproper adjusted relation and at the proper height to be posi tioned in the same horizontal plane as the chalk holder iuthe manner as illustratedin Fig; 3, and the sections moved outward-1y relative to one another on thehinge connection 26, the party fitting the; skirt then steps into the ring 20 and allows the skirt when it is fixed in proper relation, to hang outside ol tl'c 'chalkholder 1. h-en the body is standing erect with the skirt'in the proper adjusted relation on it, the: arms are used for grasping with the hands and moving the sections 2st and25 of the skirt holder into the position shown in Figs. 1 and 3', which engages the outer face of the dress over the chalk holder and it being movedin against the chalk holder forces the dress into contact: with the chalk so that it is marked on the inside to thedesired. length.

l ollowin'g this operation, the sections" 24 and are moved apart on the hinge 26 and the dress may then be removed, the marking produced by the chalk indicating the position for forming the hem so that it will be even and the samedistance above the ground or l'loor surface all around the lower edge.

Coats, gowns, or other garments may also be marked for obtaining proper length thereof with the use of this device. I

Where two persons use the device, one of them being a litter, the spreader ring is usu-.

ally positioned in engagement between the rings of the chalk holder 1 and the set screws 40 and 43 adjusted to lock the sections in this position, and then the fitter canposition the loweredge of the dress over the spreader ring and mark the same by hand with the piece of chalk over the ring.

This operation requires a fitter for the person being fitted, to obtain the proper marking of the skirt or other garment, while with the first method out use, the person being fitted can obtain the proper markings for length herself, without the necessity of the fitter.

It should thus be readily obvious that a highly novel construction has been provided for obtaining and marking the proper length of garments, and particularly skirts and the like with a structure in which all of theparts are adjustable within desired limits, and by which a dress maker or the like may readily fit skirts or other garments on herself without the use of a fitter or other person to do themarking.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new is zp 1. A device of the class described comprising a pair of rings forming a chalk holder, each ring consisting of a pair of annular sect-ions, resilient means secured to said rings and normally retaining the same in contact, each of sand rings being adapted to have the sections adjusted relative to one another for 'arying the size of the holder, means for adjustably supporting said chalk holder above a suitable supporting surface, and means adapted for cooperation with said chalk holder to engage a garment for marking purposes.

.2. A device of the class described, comprising a chalk holder adapted for adjustment in size, said chalk holder being of an nular form, means for adjustably supporting said chalk holder above a supporting surface, a garment holder for cooperation with said chalk holder to mark a garment carried by said chalk holder, said garment holder being formed with a plurality of adjustable sections adapted to vary the size thereof, and means for independently and adjustably supporting said garment holder on the supporting surface for the chalk holder.

A skirt marker, comprising a chalk holder, having a pair of duplicate rings, each of said rings being formed of a plurality of arcuate sections, means adjustably connecting adjacent sections in circular ring forming relation, the adjustment of each section relative to the other varying the size of the chalk holder, resilient connectors for said rings normally retaining said rings engaged with chalk positioned therehetween, a holding'ring ad ustable in size, (means connecting the chalk holder to the holding ring, a plurality of supporting standards adjustahly supporting said holding ring, and meamfor engaging a skirt with chalk positioned in said chalk holder.

1. A skirt marker comprising an annular chalk holder havinga pairot' duplicate rings, each of said rings being formed of a pluralit of sections, means adjustalily connecting at jacent sections in circular ring forming relation, the adjustment of each s ction rela tive to the other varying the size of the chalk holder, resilient C(Hlllutjlltlll: for said rings normally retaining the rings engaged with chalk positioned therebetween, a holding ring adjustable in size and smaller than said chalk holder arranged concentrically within said chalk holder, means connecting the chalk-holder to said holding ring, and a plurality of vertical supporting standards adjustably mounting said holding rings, and means for engaging a skirt with chalk positioned in the holder.

In testimony whereof I atlix my signature.

OLIVIA V. 'IULBER'I. 

